Deer Hunter director Michael Cimino has died aged 77
Cimino's 1978 film is considered a classic, but his next Heaven's Gate was a financial disaster.
Michael Cimino, the director of Vietnam war film The Deer Hunter, has died, his friend and former lawyer has confirmed.
Cimino passed away peacefully at home at the age of 77.
His 1978 film The Deer Hunter is considered a Hollywood triumph.
It starred Robert de Niro and Christopher Walken and won five Oscars.
However, his next project, called Heaven's Gate, was a financial disaster and experts say it heralded tighter studio control over film budgets.